Video cassette front loading system for video tape recorder

ABSTRACT

A cassette loading system for a cassette tape recorder comprises a holder storing a tape cassette, a first transport device for horizontally transporting the cassette holder, and a second transport device for vertically transporting the cassette holder. The holder is provided with a holder arm rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the direction of inserting the cassette. A guide is provided responsive to the rotation of the holder arm for guiding the cassette holder upward and downward as the narrowest width of the cassette is horizontal. A detection device may be provided for detecting the completion of horizontally transporting the cassette. A preventing device may further be provided for preventing the cassette holder from being switched from a first pathway for the first transport device to a second pathway for the second transport device.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 694,142,filed on Jan. 23, 1985, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a video tape recorder and, moreparticularly, to a video cassette front loading system for a video taperecorder.

Conventionally, a video cassette loading system for a video taperecorder is inserted into the recorder along the elongated side of thevideo tape cassette. For such a lateral insertion system of the cassettethat the wide width side is faced to the recorder surface, the frontside of the video tape recorder is provided with a widecassette-insertion inlet so that the number of key switches to beprovided in the front side of the recorder must be limited and theirsize must be miniaturized. Further, in such a recorder, a cassetteholder elevator for elevating a cassette holder containing the cassettemust be provided at both sides of the cassette holder, so that thecassette storing system is large.

Therefore, it is desired to provide an improved cassette insertiondevice for receiving the cassette at its small cassette inlet as mush aspossible, such that the narrow side of the cassette when the narrowestwidth of the cassette is horizontal is faced against the front side ofthe recorder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved cassette loading system for a video cassette recordercharacterized in that the narrow side of a tape cassette is placedagainst the front surface of the recorder. In such an arrangement, thetape cassette store in the cassette holder is first moved horizontallyforward and second, in response to the detection of the horizontalforward ending signal, the cassette holder is vertically loaded to thevideo cassette recorder.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcassette loading system for a video cassette recorder for releasing thelocking of a front cover while the narrow side of the cassette is facedto the insertion surface of the recorder and is inserted into therecorder.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedcassette loading system for a video cassette recorder comprising acassette elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering a cassetteholder.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide animproved cassette loading system for a video cassette recorder forreducing any loading of a cassette feeding roller, so that the switchingfrom the cassette horizontal movement to the cassette vertical movementis smooth.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved cassette front loading system for a cassette recorder such thatthe single cassette recorder is provided with two sets of cassetteloading assemblies positioned substantially in parallel within the sideof the recorder in which the width of the cassette recorder issubstantially identical to that of a type of cassette recorder with onlyone set of cassette loading assembly.

Briefly described, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a cassette loading system for a video cassetterecorder is characterized by comprising holder means for storing acassette, holder arm means coupled with the cassette holder means, theholder arm means being rotatable around an axis perpendicular to thedirection of inserting the cassette, and guide means responsive to therotation of the holder arm means for guiding the cassette holder meansupward and downward as the narrowest width of the cassette ishorizontal.

In accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system comprises first transport meansfor horizontally transporting the cassette, detection means fordetecting the completion of horizontal transportation of the cassette,the detection means being provided on the cassette holder means, secondtransport means for vertically transporting the cassette, and preventingmeans for preventing the cassette holder means from being changed from afirst pathway for the first transport means to a second pathway for thesecond transport means, so that when the detection means detects thecompletion of the horizontal transport of the cassette, the preventingmeans is made inoperative.

In accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system further comprises release meansfor releasing the preventing operation of the preventing means and saidpreventing means is driven with a clutch mechanism, and lock means forlocking the release means not to release the preventing operation of thepreventing means before the first transport means has completed thefirst transport operation of the cassette, so that the clutch mechanismand the preventing means are integrally combined.

In accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system still further comprises thesecond transport means comprising spiral cam means and bar means withengagement means engaged with the spiral cam means, and secondpreventing means for preventing the release means from releasing thepreventing operation of the first preventing means while the spiral cammeans is rotated at a predetermined phase.

In accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system yet further comprises means forlowering the cassette holder means, stop means for stopping the loweringoperation of the means for lowering, release means for releasing thestop operation of the stop means in response to the loading operation ofthe cassette, coupling means interposed between the stop means and therelease means for transporting an instruction of releasing the stopmeans, so that the power from driving means is forwarded into therelease means, the preventing operation of the stop means being effectedaccording to the power of the means for lowering.

In accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system additionally comprises thecoupling means interposed between the stop means and the release meansfor coupling the power from the driving means to the stop means inresponse to the release operation of the release means, so that therelease operation of the stop means is effected by the power of thelowering means.

In accordance with a seventh preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system further additionally compriseslimit means, in the first transport means horizontally transporting thecassette, for limiting the upper limit of a transport force ofhorizontally transporting the cassette holder means.

In accordance with an eighth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the cassette loading system still further additionallycomprises the cassette holder means being such that the distance betweenthe cassette and a cassette base surface in the cassette holder means isa little smaller than the thickness of the cassette, roller means forforcibly transporting the cassette, the roller means being stressedtoward the cassette holder means so that the cassette is supportedelastically between the roller means and the cassette base surface,bearing collar means of rotative axis means supported for moving in adirection of rotating the roller means in frame means, the rotative axismeans having the roller means, a first and second operating membersprojected from the bearing collar means as being opposed to each otherso that the first operating member is engaged with the frame means, andsensor means for detecting in terms of the deviation of the secondoperating member whether the bearing collar means is deviated owing tothe condition that in response to the loading of the cassette, theroller means is separated from the cassette base surface against thestress of the roller means, the roller means being rotated in responseto the detection of the sensor means. Further scope of applicability ofthe present invention will become apparent from the detailed descriptiongiven hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detaileddescriptin and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodimentsof the inventin, are given by way of illustration only, since variouschanges and modifications within the spirit and scope of the inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cassette used for a first preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cassette viewed from side A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cassette loading system according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a frame in the cassette loading system for thefirst preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cassette holder used for the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the combination of the cassette in the cassetteloading system of the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cassette loading system to which nocassette is loaded according to a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the cassette loading system to which a acssetteis loaded according to the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a frame used for the cassette loading systemin the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a a cassette holder used for the cassetteloading system of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a cam plate and a connection plate used forthe cassette loading system of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the cam plate and the connection plate asviewed from line X--X of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of primary elements of the cassette loadingsystem of the second preferred embodiment, showing the stop condition ofa stop mechanism used for the cassette loading system;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the primary elements of the cassette loadingsystem of the second preferred embodiment, showing the condition ofreleasing the stop mechanism in the cassette loading system;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the primary elements of the cassette loadingsystem of the second preferred embodiment, showing the final conditionof releasing the stop mechanism in the cassette loading system;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a cassette holder, showing a modification of astop member 224 of a slidable bar 223 in the second preferredembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the condition that a bending stop member235 of a transmission plate 234 is locked by a lock lever 239;

FIG. 19 is a side view, showing the condition that the lock of a bendingmember 235 of a transmission plate 234 is released with the rotation ofa lock lever 239;

FIG. 20 is a side view, showing the condition after the lock of thebending member 235 of the transmission plate 234 by the lock lever 239is released;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the cassette loading system of a thirdpreferred embodiment of the present invention to which no cassette isloaded;

FIG. 22 is a side view, showing the condition that a cassette is loadedinto the cassette loading system of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a rear view of a cam gear 310;

FIG. 24 is a partially broken view of FIG. 23;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are drawings, showing the operation of the cassetteloading system of the third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 is a side view of a cassette loading system according to afourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a side view of a frame in the cassette loading system for thefourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a side view of a cassette holder in the cassette loadingsystem for the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of a cam wheel in the cassette loadingsystem for the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along line VII--VII of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a side view of the cassette loading system of FIG. 27 towhich a cassette is loaded;

FIGS. 34(1), 34(2), and 34(3) are a side view of the primary elements ofthe cassette loading system, explaining the lowering movement of aholder arm 13;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a cassette loading system according toa fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a side view of the cassette loading system of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the cassette loading system of FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of a cassette detection means used for thecassette loading system;

FIG. 39 is a side view of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of a driving pully 128 and a gear 127 in theembodiment of FIG. 35; and

FIG. 41 is a sectional view of another form of the driving pulley 128and the gear 127 in the embodiment of FIG. 40.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An attention is now directed to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention in which the narrow side of a horizontal cassette is facedagainst the front surface of a tape recorder. When loading the cassetteinto the inner side of the recorder, the cassette is first movedhorizontally forward and then is moved vertically downward.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of video cassette for a cassette loadingsystem of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cassetteviewed from the arrow side A of FIG. 1.

The cassette 1 comprises a body 2 and a cover 3 pivotally movable in theupper portion of the body 2. In both ends of the cover 3, erasepreventing claws 4 and 5 are provided. At the center of the cover 3, anerror-insertion preventing groove 6 is provided for preventing thecassette from erroneously being inserted into the cassette recorder insuch a manner that the wider side of the cassette is faced with theinlet face of the recorder. In a side 2a of the body 2, a releaseprojection 7 is provided for releasing the lock of the cover 3. Bypressing the release projection 7, the cover 3 can be pivotally moved.In a bottom side 2b of the body 2, a groove 8 is provided for preventingthe cassette from being erroneously inserted when it is forwarded insuch a manner that the narrower side of the cassette when the narrowestwidth of the cassette is horizontal. The groove 8 is elongated along thelongitudinal side of the cassette body 2.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cassette loading system 10 according to thefirst preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a planview of the system 10.

The cassette 10 comprises a frame 11 shown by a chain line, a cassetteholder 12 stored inside the frame 11, a holder arm 13 positioned at theupper side of the cassette holder 12. The frame 11 is provided withelongated apertures 14, 15, and 16, and an L-shaped guide 17 as viewedin FIG. 5. The elongated apertures 14 and 16 are elongated along thewidth of the frame 11, so that their radiuses of curveture areidentical. The elongated aperture 15 is elongated along the width of theframe 11 substantially in line. A projection 18 is positioned at theright side of the frame 11 and has an axis opening 19. A notch 20 openedupward is provided at the upper side of the frame 11.

The holder arm 13 contains a flat portion 13a and a curved portion 13b.An insertion aperture 21 is formed in the flat portion 13a. Anotherinsertion aperture 23 is formed in the curved portion 13b. A pin 50 isprovided with the holder arm 13 being inserted into the elongatedaperture 16 of the frame 11.

The holder arm 13 is rotatable around the axis horizontal to the frame11. A support axis 24 is inserted into the insertion aperture 23 of theholder arm 13 and the axis aperture 19 of the frame 11, so that theholder arm 13 is rotatable around the support axis 24 within the frame11.

In the cassette holder 12, in contrast with the insertion aperture 21 ofthe holder arm 13, an insertion aperture 49 is provided. A support axis25 is inserted through the insertion aperture 21 of the holder arm 13,the insertion aperture 49 of the cassette holder 12, and the elongatedaperture 14 of the frame 11. A projection 26 is provided in the cassetteholder 12 for being inserted through the elongated aperture 15 of theframe 11. Since the cassette holder 12 is fixed to the cassette holder13 by the support axis 25, it can be lifted according to the rotation ofthe holder arm 13. The cassette holder 12 is fixed to the frame 11 bythe support axis 25 and the projection 26 as being capable of beinglifted. The cassette holder 12 can be lifted and lowered and issufficiently supported horizontally. As apparant from FIG. 4, the holderarm 13 is maintained by the support axes 25 and 24, so that thehorizontal condition of the cassette holder 12 can be ensured.

A cassette detection lever 27 is provided at the side of the cassetteholder 12 in cassette insertion direction B. At the inner face of thecassette detection lever 27 and the tip portion (the rightmost portionof FIG. 3), an inwardly projecting cassette detection member 28 isprovided. On the outer face of the cassette detection lever 27, aprojection 29 is provided which is inserted through an L-shaped guide 17of the frame 11. On the outer face of the cassette detection lever 27, aspring 30 is also provided. The end of the spring 30 is fixed to theside of the cassette holder 12 while the other end is fixed to theprojection 29. Therefore, the cassette detection lever 27 is stressed ina direction opposite that of direction B by the force of the spring 30.A cassette inlet 33 in the left side of the frame 11 is provided with alid 31 which is freely openable. Under the lide 31, an L-shaped cassetteguide 32 is provided comprising a horizontal portion 34 and a verticalportion 35. As will be described below, the cassette 1 is insertedthrough the cassette inlet 33, so that it is guided by the horizontalportion 34 of the guide 32 to be positioned in the cassette holder 12.When the cassette 1 reaches to the horizontal-operation ending portionin the cassette holder 12, the cassette holder 12 is lowered in such amanner that its rear side (the leftmost portion of FIG. 3) is guided bythe vertical portion of the guide 32.

A motor 36 is positioned at an attachment portion 11a of the frame 11. Abelt 46 is winded over a rotation axis 37 of the motor 36 and a rotationaxis 38a of the worm 38. The worm 38 can be engaged with a worm wheel39. The worm wheel 39 is coaxially provided with a spur wheel 39a. Thespur wheel 39a is engaged with a coaxial cam wheel 40 with a cam face.The cam wheel 40 is engaged with gear 41 with a pulley 42. A belt 44 isentrapped over the pulley 42 and a pulley 43 engaged with the notch 20of the frame 11. The pulley 43 is provided coaxially with cassetteforward rollers 60. The motor 36 is drived to rotate the pulley 43through the pulley 42 and the belt 44, so that the rollers 60 arerotated to forward the cassette 1.

The cam wheel 40 contains a circular cam surface 40a and a spiral camsurface 40b both coupled. The pin 50 of the holder arm 13 is traveled asa follower along the cam surfaces 40a and 40b.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially broken, of the cassette holder12. In the bottom surface 51 of the cassette holder 12, a projectionguide 52 is applicable to the preventing groove 8 formed in the cassette1 to prevent the errorneous insertion. Since the projection guide 52 iselongated in the insertion direction B, it can be coupled with theprevention goove 8 over the long length. In addition to the horizontalcondition of the cassette 1, when the front cover is downward, thecassette 1 can be sufficiently supported. A projection 54 is positionedat the rear surface 53 of the cassette holder 12. When the cassette 1 isinserted as shown in the chain line, the release portion 7 for releasingthe locking of the cover 3 is push by the projection 54 to open thecover 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cassette loading system 10 storing thecassette. When the cassette 1 is not inserted as shown in FIG. 3, theinsertion of the cassette 1 into the cassette recorder enables acassette detection switch (not shown) to rotate the motor 36, so thatthe rotation force of the motor 36 can be forwarded to the pulley 43 viathe belt 44 through the worm 38, the worm wheel 39, the wheel 40 and 41,and the pulley 42 to rotate the roller 60. By the rotation of the roller60, the cassette 1 is forwarded in the arrow direction B. at the sametime, the projection 29 of the cassette detection lever 27 is positionedat the horizontal portion 17a on the L-shaped guide 17, so that thecassette holder 12 is prevented from being lowered. Therefore, althoughthe pin 50 of the holder arm 13 is positioned at the outermost portionof the spirl cam surface 40b in the wheel 40, namely, the circular camsurface 40a, it can be prevented from invading inside the inner portionof the spiral cam surface 40b. When the cassette 1 is forwarded withinthe cassette holder 12, the cassette detection member 28 of the cassettedetection lever 27 is forced by the cassette 1, so that the cassettedetection lever 27 is shifted in the arrow direction B against the forceof the spring 30.

Thus, according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, in terms of the shift of the cassette detection lever 27, theprojection 29 of the cassette detection lever 27 is reached from thehorizontal portion 17a of the L-shaped groove 17 of the frame 11 to theend of the horizontal portion which leads to the vertical portion 17b,so that the cassette holder 12 can be moved downwardly. The pin 50 ofthe holder arm 13 can follow the inside of the spiral cam surface 40b.The spiral cam surface 40b continues to be rotated. When the pin 50 andthe spiral cam 40b are engaged, the holder arm 13 becomes rotatablearound the support axis 24, so that the cassette holder 12 movesdownwardly into the direction of arrow C to reach the cassette storingcompletion position. The stored cassette can be taken out in the reversemanner as stated above.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.8-20 wherein a supporting mechanism is improved to reduce the rotationload to a storing roller to be caused when the cassette is stored withinthe cassette holder.

The cassette loading system comprises a cassette elevator for verticallymoving the cassette, a stop mechanism for stopping the down operation ofthe cassette elevator, a releasing mechanism for releasing thepreventing operation by loading the cassette, and a correlationmechanism responsive to the power energy of a power source forcorrelating the release mechanism and the preventing mechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 8 through 16, in the cassette elevator, a frame218 is provided with a cassette inlet 203 at an end and an attachmentmember 219 at the other side, in which an end of an arm 210 is pivotallycoupled to the attachment member 219. Along a circular hole 221 in frontof a frame 218 around the pivotal axis 211, a roller 213 is positionedwhich is pivotally coupled to the middle of the arm 210. At the tip ofthe arm 210, the upper center of the cassette holder 204 is pivotallysupported by a pivotal axis 212. The outer side of the pivotal axis 212and a pin 225 positioned downward the holder 204 are inserted throughtwo circular apertures 220 formed in front of the frame 218 having aseesaw center of the arm 210. The cassette holder 204 is maintainedhorizontal with respect to the frame 218 while it can be raised andlowered according to the seesaw operation of the arm 210.

In front of the frame 218, a preventing plate 227 as the cassetteraising and lowering prevention mechanism. Plate 227 slidable right andleft by a pair of guide pins 229 projected on the frame 218 andelongated apertures 228 on the preventing plate 227. At the right upperside of the preventing plate 227, a preventing projection member 226 anda release cut-away groove 226' are formed. The preventing projectionmember 226' is attached to the outer side of the pivotal axis 212 forpreventing its lowering operation. When the preventing plate 227 ismoved in the cassette insertion direction, the pivotal axis 212 isreleased from the lowering preventing condition.

As the release mechanism, in front of the cassette holder 204, aslidable bar 223 is provided with both a bending member 224' positionedwithin the holder 204 through an opening 204' at the right side and astopping member 224 bent at the right end upward and outward. The guidebar 223 becomes slidable due to guide bar elements 208 projected fromthe front surface of the holder 204 right and left, and elongated holes208' provided on the slidable guide bar 223. A spring 209 is providedbetween a projected pin 207 at the left side of the guide bar 223 andthe guide bar 208, so that the slidable guide bar 223 is urged towardthe cassette unloading direction.

Between the release mechanism and the preventing mechanism, acorrelation mechanism is provided which is responsive to the powerapplication from a power source for correlating both mechanisms. As thecorrelation mechanism, a cam disk 214 is provided for rotating inresponse to a motor 217 positioned at the right end via an appropriatetransmission means. A cylinder 233 is provided for pivotally supportingthe cam disk 214 and a frinction transmission disk 234 in front of theframe 208. On the frinction transmission disk 234, a bending hook member235 is projected facing the frame 218 through the circular hole 222positioned at the right end of the frame 218 and resting on the topsurface of the stop member 224 formed on the slidable guide bar 223. Abar 230 is extended between the transmission disk 234 and the stop disk227. When the transmission disk 234 is rotated at the permissible lengthdefined by the circular hole 222, the rotation movement is transmittedto the stop disk 227. On the cam disk 214 adjacent the transmission disk234, a spiral groove 215 is coaxially formed on the surface facing withthe frame 218 so that it is engaged with the roller 213 on the seesawarm 210 projected outward through the circular hole 221 of the frame218. Between the outer brim of the cylinder 239 and the cam disk 214, aspiral spring 231 is provided for affording a friction to the disks 214and 234 through a friction member 234 provided between the cam disk 214and the transmission disk 234. Through a transmission wheel 236'provided on the front surface of the frame 218 with a wheel 214' formedat the outer side of the cam disk 214, a cassette take-in roller 216 iscorrelated via the pulley 237, the belt 238. The roller 216 is pivotablyprovided on the top of the frame 218.

In operation, when the cassette is not loaded in the cassette holder204, the slidable bar 223 is attracted toward the cassette intlet 203 bythe spring 209. The stop member 235 of the transmission disk 234 restsagainst the top of the stop member 224 to stop the rotation of thetransmission disk 234. The stop disk 227 is moved toward the cassetteinlet 203. The outer end of the pivotal axis 212 of the seesaw arm 210is attached to the top of the stop member 226 of the stop disk 227. Whenthe cassette 1 is inserted in a depth through the inlet 203 of the frame218 in direction AI, the power switch (not shown) of the motor 217 isset to drive it. Via the transmission mechanism comprising the belt, thespeed-reduction means, the wheel member, the cam disk 214 is rotated ina constant speed in a predetermined direction (arrow BI direction). Itsrotation enables the cassette take-in roller 216 on the top of the frame218 to be rotated with the wheel 214' on the cam disk 214, the wheel236, the pulley 237, and the belt 238.

The rotation of the roller 216 is defined as enabling the cassette to betaken in the holder 204. When the cassette is positioned in contact withthe roller 216, the roller 216 subsequently forwards the cassette in theframe 218 with the roller in close contact to the top of the cassette.Eventually, the tip of the cassette contacts the acting member 224' ofthe slidable bar 223 inwardly projected from the side of the holder 204,so that against the force of the spring 209, it presses the slidable bar223 in arrow direction AI. FIG. 9 shows this condition.

Therefore, the stop member 224 is moved. Till then, it stops therotation of the stop member 235 of the transmission disk 234. To releasethe rotation stop of the stop member 235, the transmission disk 234receives the rotation force of the cam disk 214 rotating in accordancewith the power from the motor 217, so that it is rotated by thepermissible distance defined by the circular hole 222. The stop disk 227is moved through the bar 30 by the rotation length corresponding torotation length of the cam disk 214 (arrow direction CI of FIG. 14). Thecontact between the pivotal axis 212 of the seesaw arm 210 and theprojected stop member 226 is released.

Therefore, the pivotal axis 212 can be lowered toward the cut-awaygroove 226'. Initially, the projected stop member 226 supports theweight of the cassette, the holder, and the arm etc. According to therelease operation, the seesaw arm 210 is lowered. When it is slightlylowered, the roller 213 positioned at the middle of the arm 210 isstarted to be engaged with the starting point of the spiral groove 215of the rotating cam disk 214. The spiral groove 215 enables the roller213 to be moved downwardly so that the cassette holder 204 is positionedat an appropriate position.

The cam disk 214 is continuously rotated by the motor 217. While thetransmission disk 234 is stopped by the stop member 224 of the slidablebar 223, it is slipped by the friction member positioned between the camdisk 214 and the transmission disk 234, so that the continuous rotationof the cam disk 214 can be prevented.

As stated above, in terms of the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, according to the storing operation of the cassetteinto the cassette holder 204, the stop operation of the continuousmechanism can be released and further the power energy of the motor 217can be transmitted to the stop disk 227 to release the loweringoperation of the cassette holder 204, so that the lowering operation ofthe cassette holder 204 is accerelated.

It may be possible that the stop member 224 of the slidable bar 223 canbe formed as shown in FIG. 17. FIGS. 18 through 20 show the operation.

The base of a lock lever 239 with a stop surface 242 on the top ispivotal and rotatable with the cassette holder 204. On the elongatedhole 240 positioned at the center of the lock lever 239, a pin 241 fixedto the slidable bar 223 is inserted. While the cassette is not stored,the stop surface 242 of the lock lever 239 is in contact with thebending stop member 235 of the transmission disk 234 to stop therotation of the transmission disk 234. When the cassette is stored, themovement of the slidable bar 223 enables the lock lever 239 to berotated, so that the locking between the stop surface 242 and thebending stop member 235 is released. Thus, the release between the locklever 239 and the stop member 235 of the transmission disk 234 becomesvery smooth. Since the movement of the stop surface 242 is not equal tothe movement of the slidable bar 223, the release accuracy can beimproved. The operation of FIGS. 17-20 correspond the operation of FIG.11, 14-16.

A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.21-26 in which while a spiral cam disk is rotated at a predetermineddistance, first stop means is provided for stopping the movement fromthe first traveling way of the cassette holder to the second travelingway of the cassette holder, and second stop means is provided forstopping the releasing operation of the release means releasing the stopoperation of the first stop means in synchronization with the detectionof the horizontal operation end.

FIG. 21 shows a side view of the cassette loading system according tothe third preferred embodiment of the present invention to which nocassette is loaded and stored. FIG. 22 shows a side view of the cassetteloading system of FIG. 21 to which a cassette is stored. FIG. 23 shows arear view of a cam gear 310. FIG. 24 shows its side view with partiallybroken.

The cam gear 310 is provided with a spiral cam groove in its circularside. A roller 303c of a holder arm 303 is faced with the cam groove. Astop disk 316 with a U-shaped groove 316b is provided for preventing theengagement between the roller 303c and the spiral cam groove. The camgear 310 is provided with a clutch means so that the an engagementmember 310b of the clutch means is engaged with a lock claw 304c of acassette detection level 304.

When the cassette (not shown) is loaded in, the cassette detection lever304 is horizontally moved in the reverse way of arrow direction AII.When the cassette detection lever 304 is positioned at the position asshown in FIG. 22, the cassette detection member 304b of the cassettedetection lever 304 is pressed by the cassette, so that it is moved inthe reverse direction to arrow direction AII. The lock claw 304c isreleased from the engagement member 310b of the clutch means. A clutchdisk 310d of the clutch means is started to be rotated, so that theconnectiom lever 317 attaracts the stop disk 316 in arrow direction BII.An axis 303b is released from the stop member 316b of the stop disk 316,so that it is inserted into the U-shaped groove 316. The roller 303c isinserted into the spiral cam 310a. The holder arm 303 is rotated in thedirection so as to be within the spiral cam of the roller 303c. Thecassette holder 301 is down as shown in FIG. 22 to load the cassette.

The third preferred embodiment is characterized in that the rear side ofthe cam gear 310 is formed with spiral cam 310a and the the periphery ofthe front surface of the cam gear 310 is provided with an operation cam310f. The spiral cam 310a is provided with an acute-angle portion 310eat the point between the outer groove and the spiral groove. A concaveportion 310h is formed in the operation cam 310f. The cam gear 310 andthe operation gear 310f are integrally combined. The front side of theseelements are provided with a clutch disk 310c. In the clutch disk 310d,an arm 310b with a right-bending tip and being projected rearward, astopper 310g, and a pin 310c engaged with a lever 317 are provided.

The lock lever 318 comprises a cam follwer 318a engaged with theoperation cam 310f, and a lock member 318b, so that it is stressedtoward resting with the operation can 310f by the spring. When the locklever 318 is positioned at a possible rotation phase (the condition ofFIG. 25) that the roller 303c becomes possibly in contact with theacute-angle portion 310e of the cam gear 310, it enables the stopper310g provided on the clutch disk 310d to be locked. While it is thealternative rotation phase (the condition of FIG. 26), it releases thelocking of the stopper 310g.

In operation, before the cassette is loaded and stored so that thecassette holder 301 becomes possibly down and, in addition, while theacute-angle portion 310e of the cam is not in a rotation phase of beingin contact with the roller 303c the cam follwer 318a of the lock lever318 is in contact with the outer surface of the operation cam 310fprovided on the cam gear 310. The lock member 318b of the lock lever 318is released from the stopper 310.

When the cassette is loaded so that cassette holder 301 will become downand the acute-angle portion 310e of the cam is in a rotation phase ofpossibly being contact with the roller 303c, the cam follwer 318 of thelock lever 318 is inserted into cocave portion 310h of the operation cam310f provided in the cam gear 310, so that the lock member 318b of thelock lever 318 locks the stopper 310g of the clutch disk 310d. Therotation of the clutch disk 310d is stopped. The connection lever 317cannot attract the stop disk 316, so that the roller 303c is notlowered. The acute-angle portion 310e of the cam is not in contact withroller 303c. When the cam gear 310 is started to be rotated, the camfollwer 318a of the lock lever 318 becomes in contact with the outerperiphery of the operation cam 310f, so that the lock member 318b of thelock lever 318 is released from the stopper 310g. The clutch disk 310dis started to be rotated and the roller 303c can be engaged with thespiral cam 310a. At this condition, the lock lever 318 rests against thestopper 310g, so that the stopper 310g is prevented from being locked.

As stated above, the cassete loading system of the cassette recordercomprises the cassette holder 301 for sustaining the cassette, thetraveling roller 314 for traveling the cassette substantially inhorizontal, the cassette detection lever for detecting whether thecassette has been completely transferred horizontally, the holder arm303 for vertically transferring the cassette, comprising the spiral cam310a and the roller 303c engaged with this cam, the stop plate 316 forpreventing the cassette holder from being transferred from thehorizontal movement to the vertical downward movement, the connectionlever responsive to the drive power of the clutch mechanism from the camgear 310 for releasing the stop operation of the stop disk 316, and thecassette detection lever lock claw 304c for locking not to release thelocking of the stop disk 316 until the connection lever has traveled thecassette horizontally. According to the gist of the third preferredembodiment of the present invention, the lock lever 318 and theoperation cam 310f are provided in the cam gear 310. The lock lever 318is provided for stopping the release by the connection lever 317 bylocking the clutch disk 310d when the spiral cam 310a is rotated in apredetermined rotation phase. The operation cam 310f is provided tooeprate the lock lever 318. Even when the roller 303 is down slight, theroller 303c can be transferred smooth to the spiral portion of the cam.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.27-34 where the load of a cassette guiding roller can be reduced tosmoothly switch between the horizontal movement and the verticalmovement of the cassette.

FIGS. 27 through 34 show the fourth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Those elements of FIGS. 27 through 34 are indicated by likenumerals in FIGS. 3 through 7.

FIG. 27 shows a side view of the cassette loading system of the fourthpreferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 shows a plan viewof the view of FIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 29, in the right side of theelongated aperture 16, a stop element 517 is provided. At the top sideof the stop element 517, a stop portion 517a is provided with extendedright to flame 11. At the other side of the stop element 517, a stopelement 517b is provided in parallel with the stop element 517a. Asshown in FIG. 30, at the right end of the cassette detection lever 27, alock means 527a is provided for enabling a stop means not to release thelocking till the cassette has been horizontally traveled, the stop meanspreventing the holder arm 13 from being down. A cam wheel 40 is providedwith a circular cam surface 40a and the spiral cam surface 40b coupled(as shown in FIG. 31). In FIGS. 27 and 33, the cam surfaces 40a and 40bare omitted. The pin 50 of the holder arm 13 can be moved as thefollower along the cam surface 40a and 40b. The cam wheel 40 is providedwith a stop disk 561 to prevent the downward movement of the holder arm13.

FIG. 31 shows an enlarged view of the cam wheel 40. FIG. 32 is asectional view of the cam wheel 40 taken along the line of VII--VII ofFIG. 31. Under the cam wheel 40, a slip plate 563 is provided. Above thecam wheel 40, a stop plate 561 is provided. The stop plate 561, the camwheel 40, and the slip plate 563 are coaxial. The stop plate 561includes a circle portion 561a and a projection portion 561b projectedright from the circle portion 561a. The cam wheel 40 and the slip plate563 are loosely inserted into the projected portion 561b. A U-shapedgroove 561d is formed in the stop 561 lineally from the outermostperiphery portion 561c to the inside of it. A projection portion 562projected to the cam wheel 40 is attached to the slip plate 563. The camwheel 40 is made of a felt being a large friction material. The camwheel 40 stresses toward the projected portion 562 with the spring 564.The cam wheel 40 is coupled with the projected portion 561b of the stopelement 561. In this arrangement, when the cam wheel 40 is rotated, afriction force is generated in the projected portion 562 due to thepress force of the spring 564, so that a predetermined rotation torqueis transferred to the slip plate 563.

FIG. 33 shows a side view of the cassette loading system 10 when thecassette holder 12 is down in response to the loading the cassette inthe cassette holder 12. When the cassette is inserted through thecassette inlet 33, the motor 36 is rotated, so that the guiding roller60 is rotated in arrow dirction D. The cassette is horizontally traveledin the cassette holder 12. While the cassette detection lever 27 ispositioned as shown in FIG. 27, the projected portion 50 of the holderarm 13 is in contact with the outer periphery of the portion 561c of thestop plate 561, so that it is prevented from invading into the spiralcam surface 40b. As the cassette is inserted into the cassette holder12, the cassette detection lever 27 is moved. The locking of the stopplate 561 stopping the movement of the holder arm 13 as will bedescribed below is released so that the stop plate 561 is rotated in thereverse to the direction D as shown in FIG. 33. The projection portion50 of the holder arm 13 is started to be engaged with spiral cam surface40b. Therefore, the holder arm 13 is lowered in the direction of arrow Cby the guide member 32. Eventually, the loading of the cassette iscompleted as shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 34 shows a view for explaning thereleasing condition of the stop means stopping the down movement of theholder arm 13. The projected portion 562 of the stop plate 561 isengaged with the stop portion 517 of the frame 11. The stop plate 561can be rotated between the stop portions 517a and 517b. When thecassette is not loaded as shown in FIG. 34(1), the projected portion 562is in contact with the lock member 27a of the cassette detection lever27, so that the rotation of the stop plate 561 is prevented. In thiscase, as shown in FIG. 34(1), the stop plate 561 is such that theprojected portion 50 fixed on the holder arm 13 is not inserted into theU-shaped groove 56d. When the cassette 1 is loaded so that the cassettedetection lever 27 is moved, as shown in FIG. 34(2), the lock member 27aof the cassette detection lever 27 is shifted, so that it is far fromthe projected portion 563. The rotation of the stop plate 561 in thedirection D is permitted. When it is rotated in the direction D, itcomes into contact with the stop portion 517b of the frame 11 so thatthe rotation of the stop plate 561 is stopped. At the same time, theU-shaped groove 561d of the stop plate 561 is in such a position as tobe able to receive the insertion of the projected portion 50 of theholder arm 13. For this while, the cam wheel 40 is continued to berotated. Then, the spiral cam surface 40b continues to be rotated alsoso that the inner movement of the projected portion 50 along the spiralcam surface is permitted as shown in FIG. 34(2). Under the condition,when the cam wheel 40 is started to be rotated, the projected portion 50of the holder arm 13 is advanced inner side along the U-shaped groove561d. Therefore, the cassette holder 12 can be lowered as it remainshorizontal. When the projected portion 50 reaches the bottom of theinner side of the U-shaped groove 561d, as shown in FIG. 34(3), thecassette loading operation is positioned as shown in FIG. 34(3).

The cassette can be taken out in the reverse manner as stated above. Insuch a case, even when the stop plate 561 is reversed to arrow directionD in FIG. 34(2), the rotation of the stop plate 561 is prevented by theprojected portion 50 so long as the projected portion 50 of the holderarm 13 is within the U-shaped groove 560d. When the projected portion 50is far from the U-shaped groove 561d, the stop plate 561 can be rotatedso thatit is rotated in the reverse direction to arrow direction D. Whenthe projected portion 50 comes into conact with the stop member 517a ofthe frame 11, it is stopped. The cassette is moved in the taken-outposition by the guide roller 60, so that the cassette detection lever 27is recovered by the force of the spring 30 to be a condition as shown inFIG. 34(1), again.

A yet further attention is now directed to a fifth preferred embodimentof the present invention where a slight movement of a roller in responseto the cassette attachment can be magnified by a pair of operationmembers provided with a bearing collar and detected by a sensor. Theroller can be rotated immediately in response to the contact of thecassette to the roller.

With reference to FIGS. 35 through 41, the cassette loading system ofthe fifth preferred embodiment is characterized in that at the end of aframe 101, a seesaw arm 103 is provided which is pivotally supported bya pivotal axis 102. At the tip of the arm 103, the upper front center ofa cassette holder 104 is horizontally maintained by a pivotal axis 105.At the output side surface of the cassette holder 104, an operatingmember 106 and a slidable lever 109 are positioned as being movable inthe front and the rear directions in a predetermined distance with twopairs of elongated holes 110 and a guide pin 111. The operating member106 is faced to the innermost portion of the cassette holder 104. Theslidable lever 109 is provided with a pin 8 inserted into an L-shapedhook 107. A spring 112 is provided between the pin 108 and a guide pin111 projected on the side of the cassette holder 104. The slidable lever109 is continuously stressed in the front direction of the system (thecounterclockwise in the drawing). The cassette holder 104 is maintainedat the same height as that of a cassette inlet 113 provided at the frontside of the frame 101 by the elongated portion of the L-shaped hook 107via the pin 108. When the cassette (not shown) is loaded into the systemthrough the cassette inlet 103 in the direction of the arrow, it ismoved at a predetermined position of the cassette holder 104, it isforcibly pressed in the arrow direction by a roller 114 driven at theframe 101. At the last condition of forcibly pressing the cassette, thecassette tip presses the operation member 106 against the spring 112 tomove the slidable lever 109. The pin 108 on the slidable lever 109 ismoved to the end portion of the elongated hole in the L-shaped hook 107and, finally, to the starting point of the hole, so that the downmovement of the cassette holder 104 is permitted. It starts slight to bedown according to its weight, the weight of the seesaw arm 108 and theinserted cassette.

At this time, a starting point of a spiral cam groove 120 is engagedwith a roller 121 rotatably provided on the side of the seesaw arm 103.The spiral cam groove 120 is provided on the side of a gear 119. Thegear 119 is rotated clockwise by the movement of a motor 115, a worm116, a worm wheel 117, and a gear 118. The engagement of the roller 121to the cam groove 120 enables the seesaw arm 103 to be forcibly bepushed downwardly. Accordingly, the cassette holder 104 is movedvertically downwardly to a predetermined position.

As the axis support and driving mechanism of the cassette forward roller114, an end of a rotation axis provided with the roller 114 is insertedinto a bearing member 123 which is supported on the frame 101, ismovable upward and downward, and is pressed downward. Adjacent the otherend of the axis 122, a bearing collar 124 is provided with a circle atits peripheral. The collar 124 is coupled with a concave portion 125formed on the upper brim of the frame 101 in such a manner that it ismovable up and down. At the outer projection end of a collar 124 on anaxis 122, a pulley 126 is fixed. At the side of an idle gear 127 coupledwith the gear 119 with the spiral cam groove 120, a pulley 128 isprovided. A rubber belt 129 is extended between the pulleys 126 and 128,so that the roller 114 is rotated counterclockwise with the belt. Thetension of the belt 129 permits the roller 114 to be stressed toward thecassette holder 104.

On the condition that the bearing collar 124 is down to the bottom ofthe concave portion 125, the clearance between the bottom of the roller114 and the cassette supporting surface of the cassette holder 104 isslight smaller than the thickness of the cassette. A pair of operationmembers 124a and 124b are provided which are projected to the front andthe rear from the bearing collar 124. The tip of the operation member124a is engaged with a fix pin 131 on the frame 101 with the elongatedhole 132. The tip of the operation member 124b is in contact with thelower surface of a contact member 130a of a switch 130 provided on theouter side of the frame 101 to serve as a cassette loading detectionsensor. After the stored cassette is in contact with the roller 114, thebearing collar 124 is slightly lifted when in response to the cassetteinsertion operation the roller 114 is lifted slight with extending thebelt. The tip of the operation member 124b not engaged with the frame101 is lifted to switch on the switch 130. The motor 115 is powered anddriven. The driving of the roller 114 enables the cassette to promptlybe catched by the roller 114 so that it is forcibly moved. When theeffective radiuses of the operation member 124a and 124b are assumed tobe R1 and R2, respectively, the point of application of the operationmember 124b is shifted (R1+R2)/R1 times the upward shift distance of thebearing collar 124, so that according to the very slight movement of theroller enables the roller activation.

In the fifth preferred embodiment as stated above, the pulley 128 andthe gear 127 are integrally combined as shown in FIG. 40. Alternatively,they can be formed as shown in FIG. 41. In the embodiment of FIG. 41,while the cassette movement is switched from the cassettehorizontal-movement operation to the cassette vertical-movementoperation, the still cassette cannot receive a horizontal-press forcemore than the force which is necessary to horizontally forward thecassette. The consumption of the components and abnormal power supply tothe driving motor in forcibly forwarding the cassette can be prevented.

With reference to FIG. 41, the driving pulley 128 is independent on thegear 127, so that it is coupled with the boss 127a of the gear 127 asbeing rotatable and is coupled with a boss 130 with a frange installedon the boss 127a. Between a thrust collar 131 supported on the innerside of the boss 130 and the pulley 128, a spring 132 is provided sothat the pulley 128 is stressed toward the gear 127. Between the pulley128 and the gear 127, a friction plate 133 is interposed. When thepulley 128 is loaded by a load more than a predetermined load, thepulley 128 and the gear 127 are slipped. Thus, a torque limiter means isprovided for preventing the application of a predetermined stress ormore to the pulley 128. The torque limiter means can be interposedbetween the pulley 126 and the rotative axis 122. The rotative axis 122can be driven with a gear means.

While only certain embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cassette loading system comprising:holder meansfor storing said cassette, said holder means receiving said cassette asit is moved in a first direction; holder arm means for supporting saidholder means, said holder arm means being coupled to said holder meansand being pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the insertiondirection; guide means for guiding the holder means in a seconddirection, said guide means including a projection which is responsiveto insertion of said cassette into said system such that said projectionmoves in said insertion direction; drive means for moving said holdermeans in said second direction, said drive means including a wheelmember capable of rotation about an axis which is parallel to the pivotaxis of said holder arm means, said member having a first and secondsurface thereon; and connection means associated with said holder armmeans, said connection means being engageable with said first surface ofsaid wheel member before said cassette is loaded into said system, saidconnection means being engageable with said second surface of said wheelmember in response to movement of said projection whereby when saidconnection means is engaged with said second surface, movement of saidholder means in said second direction is permitted.
 2. The cassetteloading system of claim 1, wherein said first direction is a horizontaldirection and said second direction is a vertical direction.
 3. Thecassette loading system of claim 1, further comprising:groove means forpreventing incorrect insertion of said cassette; and projected means forengaging said groove means, said projected means being provided on aside of said holder means and said projected means binding saidcassette.
 4. The cassette loading system of claim 1, wherein saidcassette is provided with a lockable front cover and with releaseprojection means for locking said front cover, and said holder means isprovided with second projection means for pushing the release projectionmeans for unlocking said front cover when the cassette is inserted intothe system.
 5. The cassette loading system of claim 1, wherein saidholder arm means simultaneously pivots about said pivot axis as saidholder means moves in said second direction.
 6. The cassette loadingsystem of claim 1, wherein said cassette has a top, a bottom, two minoredges and two major edges and said holder means completely receives oneof said minor edges of said cassette before the other of said minoredges is received.
 7. The cassette loading system of claim 1, whereinsaid first surface of said wheel member comprises a circular cam surfaceand said second surface of said wheel member comprises a spiral camsurface.
 8. A cassette loading system comprising:first transport meansfor horizontally transporting the cassette; cassette holder means forstoring said cassette, said cassette holder means receives said cassetteas the cassette is inserted in the horizontal direction, said cassetteholder means being movable in a vertical direction; detection means fordetecting the completion of horizontal transport of said cassette, saiddetection means being provided on said cassette holder means and beingmovable in a horizontal direction and being movable in said verticaldirection, said detection means moving with said cassette holder meansin said vertical direction; second transport means for verticallytransporting the cassette; and preventing means for preventing verticaltransport of said cassette by said second transport means until saiddetection means detects completion of the horizontal transport.
 9. Thecassette loading system of claim 8, wherein said detection means moverectilinearly.
 10. The cassette loading system of claim 8, wherein saidcassette has a top, a bottom, two minor edges and two major edges andsaid holder means completely receives one of said minor edges of saidcassette before the other of said minor edges is received.
 11. Acassette loading system comprising:first transport means forhorizontally transporting the cassette; cassette holder means forstoring said cassette, said cassette holder means receives said cassetteas the cassette is inserted in the horizontal direction; detection meansfor detecting whether the horizontal transport of said cassette has beencompleted; second transport means for vertically transporting saidcassette, said second transport means including a wheel member capableof rotation, said wheel member being engageable with said cassetteholder means in order to vertically move said cassette holder means;prevent means for preventing vertical transport of said cassette by saidsecond transport means until said detection means detects completion ofthe horizontal transport; release means for permitting the prevent meansto allow vertical transport of said cassette by said second transportmeans, said release means being driven through a clutch mechanism, saidwheel member rotating only after said release means permits said preventmeans to allow vertical transport; and lock means for locking saidrelease means and for ensuring said release means remain inoperativeuntil said first transport means completes the horizontal transport ofthe cassette, said lock means being integrally combined with the clutchmechanism for driving the release means.
 12. The cassette loading systemof claim 11, wherein said cassette has a top, a bottom, two minor edgesand two major edges of said holder means completely receives one of saidminor edges of said cassette before the other of said minor edges isreceived.
 13. A cassette loading system for loading a cassettecomprising:first transport means for horizontally transporting thecassette; cassette holder means for storing said cassette, said cassetteholder means receives said cassette as the cassette is inserted in thehorizontal direction; detection means for detecting whether thesubstantially horizontal transport of said cassette has been completed;second transport means for transporting said cassette in a substantiallyvertical direction, said second transport means comprising bar means formoving the cassette holder means in a vertical direction and spiral cammeans for engaging a pin on said bar means, said spiral cam means beingcapable of rotating; first prevent means for preventing thesubstantially vertical transport of said cassette until said detectionmeans detects completion of the substantially horizontal transport;release means for permitting the first prevent means to allowsubstantially vertical transport of said cassette by said secondtransport means, said release means being driven through a clutchmechanism; lock means for locking said release means and for ensuringsaid release means remains inoperative until said first transport meanscompletes the substantially horizontal transport of the cassette; andsecond prevent means for preventing the release means from releasing thefirst prevent means while said spiral cam means of said second transportmeans is rotated at a predetermined phase.
 14. The cassette loadingsystem of claim 13, wherein said cassette has a top, a bottom, two minoredges and two major edges and said holder means completely receives oneof said minor edges of said cassette before the other of said minoredges is received.
 15. A cassette loading system for loading a cassettehaving a top, a bottom, two minor edges and two major edges, saidcassette loading system comprising:cassette holder means for storingsaid cassette, said cassette holder means completely receiving one ofsaid minor edges before the other of said minor edges is received duringa cassette insertion operation; elevator means for lowering saidcassette holder means; stop means for stopping the lowering movement ofsaid elevator means and for controlling the elevator means to stopmovement of said cassette holder means; release means for releasing thestop means in response to said cassette insertion operation and forpermitting lowering of the cassette holder means by said elevator means;coupling means interposed between said stop means and said release meansfor causing said release means to release a stop operation of said stopmeans; and drive means for supplying a driving force for the loading andlowering operations, the stop means being responsive to the amount offorce supplied by the drive means to said elevator means to control saidelevator means.
 16. A cassette loading system for loading a cassettehaving a top, a bottom, two minor edges and two major edges, saidcassette loading system comprising:cassette holder means for storingsaid cassette, said cassette holder means completely receiving one ofsaid minor edges before the other of said minor edges is received duringa cassette insertion operation; elevator means for lowering saidcassette holder means; stop means for stopping the lowering movement ofsaid elevator means, said stop means being in contact with a portion ofsaid elevator means during stopping; release means for releasing thestop means in response to the cassette insertion operation and forpermitting lowering of the cassette holder means by said elevtor means,said release means causing said stopping means to move out of contactwith said portion of said elevator in order to permit lowering; drivingmeans for driving the lowering of said elevator means; and couplingmeans interposed between said stop means and said release means forpermitting the driving means to lower the elevator when said releasemeans releases said stop means.
 17. A cassette loading systemcomprising:cassette holder means for storing said cassette; horizontaltransport means for horizontally transporting said cassette into saidcassette holder means, said horizontal transport means comprises rollermeans for firmly pressing the cassette and drive means for rotating theroller means in order to move the cassette, said transport means beingprovided with limit means for limiting the horizontal transport of saidcassette, said limit means including a pair of rotatable wheel membersadjacent one another and a spring which urges one of the wheel memberstoward the other wheel member, said wheel members being frictionallyengaged by the urging of said spring such that simultaneous rotationwill occur between these two members unless a force is applied to one ofthe wheel members whereby slipping between the one rotating member andthe one nonrotating member occurs, said limit means thereby permittingrotation of both said wheel members to permit horizontal transport ofthe cassette and after horizontal transport of the cassette is completeto permit one wheel member to continue rotating and the other wheelmember to remain stationary; and vertical transport means for verticallytransporting said cassette holder means upon completion of thehorizontal transport of said cassette, said vertical transport meanspositioning said cassette held by said cassette holder means into acassette recorder.
 18. The cassette loading system of claim 17,wherein:said cassette has a top, a bottom, two minor edges and two majoredges and said holder means completely receives one of said minor edgesof said cassette before the other of said minor edges is received.